By Patrick Colbeck

Detroit Free Press guest writer

Patrick Colbeck

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The “fix” is in. Many in Lansing and in the news media would have you believe that the only solution to our crumbling roads is to raise taxes.

In a recent opinion column, Brian Dickerson even suggested that some legislators, myself included, were refusing to hike taxes on Michigan residents because we had gerrymandered districts. But no matter the shape of the district, I would have voted no on hiking taxes because we haven’t done enough through other means to address the structural problems affecting our roads.

Those pushing for a tax hike promote statistics such as, “Michigan ranks last among the 50 states in per capita road expenditures.”

Funny thing about the per capita road spending statistic: Only the mafia prices out pavement contracts based on the number of bodies. Road construction projects are typically priced out according to the number of miles to be paved. Michigan ranks 13th when it comes to how many dollars per mile we spend on our roads — 53% more per mile than the national average, according to the Reason Foundation.

Indiana spends roughly the same amount per mile on its roads as Michigan, and it is ranked No. 1 in pavement condition. Michigan is ranked 43rd. Clearly, the solution to our transportation infrastructure woes needs to look at more than tax revenue.

If the recent “road solution” would have passed as proposed, we would have been paying 44 cents per gallon more at the pump — and that assumes that the price of gas itself remains constant. For every dollar increase in the price of gas, the tax on gas would have increased another 7 cents per gallon. It would have been one of the largest tax increases in Michigan history.

Furthermore, the increase in the diesel tax from 15 cents per gallon to 19 cents per gallon would have not only increased the price of fuel for truckers, it would have increased the price of the goods that they transport on our behalf, such as groceries.

The backup plan to this approach was to put a 1% sales tax increase on the ballot for voters to decide. Once again, the focus was on a tax increase as the solution.

During my rookie term in elected office, I have been working hard to put together a road-funding plan that will fix our roads without raising taxes. The plan focuses on spending priorities (i.e. appropriations policy), expense reductions and innovative revenue sources. You can see the plan for yourself at MorninginMichigan.com.

While the majority of us struggled through a long, difficult winter that took a toll on our spirits, as well as our roads, some reflected upon how the resulting road crisis could be used to justify increased taxes. The only solutions that will satisfy them feature taking more money out of your pockets to put into their pockets.

Winter may be over, but be prepared for another snow job this summer as voters are being led to believe that the only “fix” for our crumbling roads features higher taxes.

Patrick Colbeck, a Republican from Canton, represents Michigan’s 7th District in the state Senate.